Question 1

True or false: Parker was a major influence on the British pub rock scene of the early 1970s.

Accepted Answer

False. Graham Parker's debut album with The Rumour was released in 1976, after the early 1970s pub rock scene was already established, so he could not have been a major influence on it.

Question 2

True or false: Parker’s 1976 debut album 'Howlin’ Wind' was produced by the legendary Nick Lowe.

Accepted Answer

True. Nick Lowe produced the album, which earned rave reviews but modest sales, launching Parker’s career.

Question 3

True or false: Parker’s 1979 album 'Squeezing Out Sparks' is often considered his masterpiece.

Accepted Answer

True. Critics widely hail it as his finest work, blending punk energy with sharp songwriting, though it wasn’t a commercial smash.

Question 4

True or false: Graham Parker wrote the hit song 'Cruel to Be Kind' for Nick Lowe.

Accepted Answer

False. 'Cruel to Be Kind' was written by Nick Lowe and Ian Gomm, and recorded by Nick Lowe. Graham Parker did not write the song.

Question 5

True or false: Graham Parker's first band was called The Rumour before he ever met them.

Accepted Answer

False. The Rumour was formed specifically to back Parker after he auditioned solo; they weren’t his pre-existing band.

Question 6

True or false: Graham Parker has never released a live album in his entire career.

Accepted Answer

False. He has several live albums, including 'Live at Marble Arch' (1976) and 'The Parkerilla' (1978).

Question 7

True or false: Graham Parker is an accomplished novelist, having published the novel 'The Other Life of Brian Robertson'.

Accepted Answer

True. He wrote the 2007 novel 'The Other Life of Brian Robertson', a work of fiction drawing on his music career.

Question 8

True or false: Graham Parker's debut album was released in 1976.

Accepted Answer

True. His debut album, 'Howlin' Wind', was released in 1976 and is considered a classic of the pub rock genre.

Graham Parker Trivia Questions